EAB Biosensor Microneedle Array for Continuous Hormone Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fertility and pregnancy monitoring, such as urine tests and blood serum testing, are inadequate as they do not provide continuous tracking of hormone levels, and are inefficient due to the need for laboratory analysis and limited temporal data points.
Innovation Solution
The use of an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensor system with a microneedle array that accesses interstitial fluid to continuously monitor multiple hormones and analytes, including luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG), generating signals for real-time detection and communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If urine tests are used to measure hormone levels, then hormone monitoring is possible, but continuous monitoring is not provided and temporal data points are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring by placing a biosensor in direct contact with interstitial fluid through a microneedle array, enabling continuous measurement of hormone levels (LH, progesterone, HCG) over time without requiring repeated urine or blood samples, thus resolving the limitation of discrete temporal data points in traditional testing methods
2Measurement precision
If blood serum testing is used to monitor hormone levels, then hormone measurement is achieved, but laboratory analysis is required which is costly and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical laboratory-based blood serum testing system with a portable electrochemical biosensor system that performs hormone detection directly in the interstitial fluid, eliminating the need for complex laboratory infrastructure, costly reagents, and time-consuming analysis procedures while maintaining accurate hormone level measurement
3Duration of action of moving object
If traditional testing methods are used, then hormone levels can be measured at a given point in time, but continuous tracking over extended periods is not achievable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables extended period monitoring by maintaining continuous contact between the biosensor and interstitial fluid through the microneedle array, allowing tracking of hormone level changes over the entire menstrual cycle without interruption, thereby eliminating the need to repeatedly schedule and undergo time-consuming laboratory tests
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables continuous, real-time monitoring of hormone levels, allowing for accurate prediction and confirmation of ovulation and pregnancy, as well as tracking the health of a pregnancy through sustained data collection and analysis.
Implementation Method 1
at least one hormone and/or analyte sensing microneedle array configured to access interstitial fluid in the subject
Implementation Method 2
a means for providing a potential to facilitate an electrochemical reaction associated with at least one of the aptamers
Implementation Method 3
an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensor configured for in vivo detection
Implementation Method 4
an aptamer that selectively binds to luteinizing hormone (LH)
Implementation Method 5
a redox reporter is linked to the aptamer
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and methods that use an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) biosensor to detect a plurality of hormone and/or analyte that can be used for fertility and pregnancy monitoring.